This series is composed of the first few shots I've ever taken with my Yashica. Other than framing no PS work, the tone is deliberately printed this way. Your comments are, as always appreciated... Hermen, Mary, this is the series I meant in my email. Cheers,

If anyone was cheating in this game, It would've been me. It was just a very layed back game, no stakes what so ever, (not even a decent gambling game, but a "family sit-in" thus quite relaxed and fairly bleak. But the lighting was right to induce the atmosphere, and it gave me a good opportunity to play around with my "new" medium format camera....;)

Hi Hugo!!!!!! I'm back! Wonderful shot here... I can imagine the silence around the player (you created it with the "lack" of light)and the tension in the air, with maximum attention on the game (according to the "strong" lighting on the cards...) Where they nervous? Where they cheating?... I like this a lot... This one creates me a sensation of suspense... Hugs my friend!

You caught the atmosphere well... I agree with some other comments about the position of the left cards. It's obvious for me that they are there deliberately, but I think that it would be better if a little bit more of them was shown.

Hi Hugo! A very interesting photograph indeed! I bet sepia would work well also, that 'old' look about it. Great! I like not seeing a person behind those hands....hope you were holding a good hand!! The only thing that disturbs me is the left side, the edges of two cards, yet maybe you wanted that so it tells the viewer that there are indeed others playing....but it's distracting a bit. Also the one white dot! Even if it's a spot on the table, REMOVE IT! LOL (don't ya love me? LOL) But those are just two tiny things...

Lori :)

ps... in answer to your question..the Optio. Yes, they are limiting somewhat, but for the times when I 'wish' I had a camera...it's great to have in my purse. It goes everywhere with me. When I plan to shoot, I use the Canon. Big difference, but I must admit that the Optio does better than I thought it would, so that was a surprise!! Have a good evening!

Dear hugo, wonderful shot my dear friend! as a former card player I can empathize with the great tension that goes on in one of these games when a good hand is held by oneself.... only I dont see any money in the pot, and that is unusual! nice presentation....jon

this photo makes me smile as it reminds me of a poker game. not any old poker game at your buddies house but a back-room. in some seedy party of town. with someone of questionable character. this is a tense moment. he's got no chips which means i've been beating him all night. he's steaming and starting to get tense and possibly bluffing me. his hands tell me so. they are asking me "what will you do now?". this tension and my feeling of being bluffed is exacerbated (sp?) by the fact that i cannot see his face.

this story can take any number of turns from here. the story, and indeed the mood, could've also been altered completely with only small changes in composition. a felt covered table for example would remove the back room feel, a bit more background detail, or even softer lighting, would've removed the tension.

i like it! i like where you're going with it. i can't wait to see what the next photo will reveal.

great shot hugo i can even feel the tension in the card players hands.i like the fact you havent included the peoples faces it adds to the feel of the person to play another card.great shot regards richard

Today, I decide to look at the work of all my dear Friends, but not to comment so much, but here dear Hugo, I have to comment your photograph! Everything is perfect, love the dark and shadows and light and hands emmerging .. beautiful and well captured and then I look at the left side and what did I find there, a piece of white of the card! Ufff!!! Please be good and remove it at ONCE ha ha .. and then you have a great photograph. Would make a little balance in contrast and add more black but you will do it yourself. Today, because of the TERROR in my country, on Kosovo, I am silent Be well my dear Hugo and take care Biliana

Richard has a point in terms of composition but otherwise - this is going to be fun...shall I go on about the ambience and the possible meanings presented? I am not sure - I think that I will wait for the next two images - because I believe that some amplification and clarifying will go on in the subsequent images...I love the pitch black in the background!!

Great square-ish cropping. I really like the tone and how the photo looks, it gives it that vintage mobster feel. The hands coming out of the darkness into the light adds a mystery element to it. Excellent compositoin and lighting as well.

Hi there Hugo!! Is it an history about card players? The only thing the is a little bit disturbing is the little edge of the card in the lower left side. by the way all works perfectly with a great emotive impact..this is what a feel... Paolo